High School / IB

IB Physics

An IB Physics program at HL and SL levels that explains physical phenomena through mathematical models and develops experimental design skills.

Curriculum / Syllabus

  1. Space, Time and Motion
  2. The Particulate Nature of Matter
  3. Wave Behaviour
  4. Fields
  5. Nuclear and Quantum Physics
  6. Internal Assessment (IA) Guidance

Exam & Course Strategy

Paper 1 is multiple-choice, Paper 2 involves open-ended data analysis and problem-solving, and Paper 3 for HL students focuses on additional higher-level topics.

Official Sources

International Baccalaureate® and IB® are registered trademarks of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site.

Book a Free Trial Lesson

Lesson-by-Lesson Curriculum Plan

IB Physics (SL & HL): 25-Lesson Curriculum Plan

This program follows the five themes of the IB Physics guide with first assessment in 2025: A (Space, time and motion), B (The particulate nature of matter), C (Wave behaviour), D (Fields), and E (Nuclear and quantum physics). Lessons marked HL only cover the additional higher level topics.

Each theme ends with practice on exam-style questions for Paper 1 (multiple-choice and data-based questions) and Paper 2 (short-answer and extended-response questions).

  • Total lessons: 25
  • Lesson duration: 90 minutes

Flow of a standard 90-minute lesson

  • 0–10 minutes Warm-up, quick review of the previous lesson, or a mini-quiz.
  • 10–55 minutes Lecture, analysis, and theoretical review of the new topic.
  • 55–85 minutes Guided problem solving: the student works exam-style questions under my direct supervision and receives instant feedback.
  • 85–90 minutes Summary, homework, and wrap-up.
Part 1: Space, Time and Motion Lessons 1 - 6

Covers Theme A (Space, time and motion).

  1. Lesson 1
    Core 1 / A.1 Kinematics: motion graphs, the equations of uniformly accelerated motion, projectile motion.
  2. Lesson 2
    Core 2 / A.2 Forces and momentum: Newton's laws, free-body diagrams, friction, impulse, conservation of momentum, circular motion.
  3. Lesson 3
    Core 3 / A.3 Work, energy and power: conservation of energy, efficiency, energy density.
  4. Lesson 4
    Core 4 / A.4 (HL only) Rigid body mechanics: torque, rotational equilibrium, moment of inertia, angular momentum.
  5. Lesson 5
    Core 5 / A.5 (HL only) Galilean and special relativity: postulates, time dilation, length contraction, space-time diagrams.
  6. Lesson 6
    Paper Practice 1 Exam-style questions on Theme A.
Part 2: The Particulate Nature of Matter Lessons 7 - 11

Covers Theme B (The particulate nature of matter).

  1. Lesson 7
    Core 6 / B.1 - B.2 Thermal energy transfers: temperature, specific heat capacity and latent heat, conduction, convection, and radiation; the greenhouse effect.
  2. Lesson 8
    Core 7 / B.3 Gas laws: pressure, the ideal gas equation, the kinetic model of an ideal gas.
  3. Lesson 9
    Core 8 / B.4 (HL only) Thermodynamics: the first and second laws, entropy, heat engines and cycles.
  4. Lesson 10
    Core 9 / B.5 Current and circuits: resistance, Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, emf and internal resistance.
  5. Lesson 11
    Paper Practice 2 Exam-style questions on Theme B.
Part 3: Wave Behaviour Lessons 12 - 15

Covers Theme C (Wave behaviour).

  1. Lesson 12
    Core 10 / C.1 - C.2 Simple harmonic motion and the wave model: transverse and longitudinal waves, wave speed, the electromagnetic spectrum.
  2. Lesson 13
    Core 11 / C.3 Wave phenomena: reflection, refraction, diffraction, superposition, and double-slit interference.
  3. Lesson 14
    Core 12 / C.4 - C.5 Standing waves and resonance in strings and pipes; the Doppler effect.
  4. Lesson 15
    Paper Practice 3 Exam-style questions on Theme C. HL only: the additional HL content of C.1, C.3, and C.5.
Part 4: Fields Lessons 16 - 20

Covers Theme D (Fields).

  1. Lesson 16
    Core 13 / D.1 Gravitational fields: Newton's law of gravitation, field strength, orbits and Kepler's laws. HL only: gravitational potential and escape speed.
  2. Lesson 17
    Core 14 / D.2 Electric and magnetic fields: Coulomb's law, electric field strength, field lines. HL only: electric potential.
  3. Lesson 18
    Core 15 / D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields: forces on charges and on current-carrying conductors.
  4. Lesson 19
    Core 16 / D.4 (HL only) Induction: magnetic flux, Faraday's and Lenz's laws, generators and alternating current.
  5. Lesson 20
    Paper Practice 4 Exam-style questions on Theme D.
Part 5: Nuclear and Quantum Physics, Exam Simulation Lessons 21 - 25

Covers Theme E (Nuclear and quantum physics) and comprehensive exam practice.

  1. Lesson 21
    Core 17 / E.1 - E.2 Structure of the atom: emission and absorption spectra, energy levels. HL only: quantum physics, including the photoelectric effect and matter waves.
  2. Lesson 22
    Core 18 / E.3 Radioactive decay: alpha, beta, and gamma decay, half-life, mass defect and binding energy.
  3. Lesson 23
    Core 19 / E.4 - E.5 Fission and nuclear power; fusion and stars, the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, and stellar evolution.
  4. Lesson 24
    Exam Simulation Full Paper 1 and Paper 2 simulation, with time management and marking according to the markscheme.
  5. Lesson 25
    Evaluation Simulation analysis, addressing common mistakes, and course wrap-up.
← Back to All Courses